LIVING THE VISION 2013 2016...and so Our Journey to live the Catholic faith in the spirit of Jesus Christ continues through...
CATHOLIC EDUCATION WESTERN AUSTRALIA STRATEGIC STRUCTURE (2013 2016) Mandate Letter 2009 2015 Living the Vision Strategic Directions 2013 2016 s School Strategic Plans s CEOWA Strategic Plan s s Quality Catholic Schooling Framework School Review & Implementation Plans CEOWA Team Review & Improvement Plans
LIVING THE VISION...and so Our Journey to live the Catholic faith in the spirit of Jesus Christ continues through... BACKGROUND The Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia (CECWA), at its October 2000 meeting, sought to establish a statement which embraced the hopes and expectations of those involved in Catholic Education in Western Australia. This statement was based upon the vision for Catholic schools as articulated in the Mandate Letter (2001 2007) from the Bishops of Western Australia. The current Bishops Mandate Letter has been used as the basis for the 2012 review of the Living the Vision statement. MANDATE LETTER FOR ALL INVOLVED IN CATHOLIC EDUCATION The Mandate Letter developed by the Bishops acknowledges that: Catholic schools have a vital part to play in the Church s mission to the world of today particularly in Australian society. Their purpose can only be understood within the context of this mission. (Mandate Letter, 2009 2015,1) For a school to be Catholic, it must first be a good school. Otherwise it will be unable to fulfil its mission... The Catholic school... differs in a fundamental way from those of other education traditions. What makes it distinctive is its vision of the fully integrated human being: The Catholic school differs from all others which limit themselves to forming men and women. Its task is to form Christian men and women, and, by its witness and teaching, to show non-christians something of the mystery of Christ, who surpasses all understanding. (Mandate Letter, 2009 2015,19) The call to action is the basis of the Living the Vision statement 2013 to 2016.
THE AIM OF THE LIVING THE VISION DOCUMENT Living the Vision has been produced as a resource to assist Catholic schools and communities to keep the vision articulated in the Mandate Letter alive. The aim of the document is to guide Catholic Education communities in their planning and provide a vehicle to stimulate further professional dialogue. In this way, it is hoped that school communities will embrace the values and message of Living the Vision 2013-2016 and contextualise them to reflect the work they are currently doing and expect to do in the future. This document, in conjunction with the Mandate Letter and the Quality Catholic Schooling Review and Improvement Framework, is a vehicle through which the school community can affirm how it is presently living the vision and celebrate its achievements. It has at its heart this same call to generative and contextualised dialogue as will the Strategic Directions for Catholic Education 2013-2016. LIVING THE VISION A CALL TO ACTION In the Mandate Letter (2009-2015), the Bishops of Western Australia share their vision for all in Catholic Education. With this letter as its primary source document, and an extensive consultation process, the Catholic community respond to the call to action through: Prayer Learning Truth Justice Mystery Diversity Reconciliation
HOW CAN WE MAKE THIS COME ALIVE WITHIN OUR CATHOLIC COMMUNITIES? We in Catholic Education seek to create environments that enhance learning, nurture young people and empower them to live the Catholic faith in the spirit of Jesus Christ through: Prayer Building communities centred on prayer, stillness and reflection In order to ground themselves in the vision of Jesus, all involved in Catholic Education are obliged to foster a culture of prayer, stillness and reflection. The fruits of such a culture will include authentic decision making, empathy and engagement, clarity of purpose and commitment to the common good. Mandate Letter extract underpinning the call to action Catholic schools need to help awaken a sense of the sacred in their students Religious symbols and sacred places, such as chapels and prayer centres that are used exclusively for religious worship, serve also as important reminders to students of the presence of God. para.49 Further supporting references from the Mandate are paragraphs 46, 47, 48, 50 and 60. LEARNING Developing a hunger for the learning adventure Learning is a life-long endeavour. Catholic schools, and all involved in Catholic Education, are obliged to dedicate themselves to the development of the whole person. As such, all people will have the opportunity to develop their God-given gifts and talents, while making a positive contribution to the wellbeing of others and the natural environment. As a privilege and gift from God, new learning needs to be accompanied by the development of a matching sense of social responsibility Students should be encouraged to study for reasons beyond personal advancement, material prosperity or success or social ambition. para.72 Further supporting references from the Mandate are paragraphs 23, 24, 65, 67, 69, 70 and 71.
TRUTH AND JUSTICE Challenging each other to seek truth and justice for all, especially the most vulnerable Jesus calls us to build a just society and to work together to ensure that all are able to live a full life. As such all involved in Catholic Education are obliged to recognise the face of Jesus in the vulnerable and the marginalised: to welcome them into their communities and to stand with them in giving voice to their plight and working for change. Through Catholic schools, we seek to foster a Christian mentality in our society, and to encourage young people to contribute more broadly to the development of the kind of world Jesus envisaged. One of the tasks of the Catholic school is to form Christian men and women committed to the love, compassion and justice of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. para.6 (c) Catholic schools need to promote justice, particularly to those who are culturally, physically, intellectually, financially or spiritually disadvantaged. Further supporting references from the Mandate are paragraphs 21, 22 and 39. MYSTERY Capturing the joy in the mystery of the created universe Christians are called to respect and protect the environment, so that through nature people can contemplate the mystery of the greatness and love of God. All involved in Catholic Education are obliged to respect creation and reverence the Creator through responsible and active stewardship. Religious awareness is awakened by helping students to become aware of the ways the self-revealing God is calling them into relationship. This awareness is awakened initially by promoting appreciation for the created Universe. para.47 Further supporting references from the Mandate are paragraphs 10, 12, 14 and 16.
DIVERSITY Embracing the diversity of the Earth and all its people God has given the fruit of the earth to sustain the entire human family without excluding or favouring anyone. Rejoicing in our differences we are also united in our similarities. All involved in Catholic Education are obliged to support and develop an attitude of inclusivity towards people of all cultures, respect for the uniqueness and dignity of each person and demonstrate a commitment to access, equity and participation for all. Catholic schools can serve as models who seek to create genuine communities. Such communities are always founded upon shared commitment to the common good. para.6 (e) Further supporting references from the Mandate are paragraphs 21 and 6 (c). RECONCILIATION Walking together in the spirit of reconciliation and forgiveness The Catholic school and all involved in Catholic Education strive to give expression to the harmony of God s intent for creation; that is, harmony with God, self, others and all of creation. In order to live lives which embrace each of these, all involved in Catholic Education are obliged to promote the values of the Gospel including peace, reconciliation, forgiveness and care for the earth. These values need to be at the heart of people s actions and relationships across all communities. The values of the Gospel lead to genuine peace and harmony. They make easier the promotions of reconciliation, justice, compassion and mercy as well as special commitment to the poor, the disabled and to all with special needs. Students need to appreciate the four harmonies God originally intended for creation, including the creation of human nature. They need to learn how to recognise the signs of the times in Australian society, and to develop sensitivity to the ways of God. para.21 Further supporting references from the Mandate is paragraph 22. IMPLEMENTATION OF LIVING THE VISION IN OUR CATHOLIC EDUCATION COMMUNITIES The six calls to action articulated within Living the Vision 2013-2016 should at all times give focus to our professional conversations, inform our strategy, guide our actions and be evident in decision-making in our Catholic communities. In affirming how the Catholic Education community is presently living out these six calls to action, the process of self-review, within the context of the Quality Catholic Schooling Review and Improvement Framework is vital. A holistic response to these calls to action rather than a segmented or component approach is recommended.
LIVING THE VISION 2013 2016...and so Our Journey to live the Catholic faith in the spirit of Jesus Christ continues through... The Bishops of Western Australia share their vision for Catholic schools in the Mandate Letter. With this Letter as its primary source document, and an extensive consultation process, the Catholic community developed the following call to action. We in Catholic Education seek to create environments that enhance learning, nurture young people and empower them to live the Catholic faith in the spirit of Jesus Christ by: n Building communities centred on prayer, stillness and reflection. n Developing a hunger for the learning adventure. n Challenging each other to seek truth and justice for all, especially the most vulnerable. n Capturing the joy in the mystery of the created universe. n Embracing the diversity of the Earth and all its people. n Walking together in a spirit of reconciliation and forgiveness. CATHOLIC EDUCATION COMMISSION OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA CATHOLIC EDUCATION CENTRE 50 RUISLIP STREET, LEEDERVILLE WA 6007 T (08) 6380 5200 F (08) 9381 3201 E ceowa@ceo.wa.edu.au W www.ceo.wa.edu.au NOT FOR NEALS 2012